Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 550: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to local concerns with the lack of progress in developing the Magee Barracks site in Kildare Town, in view of the various commitments given after the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35750/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decided on 1st July 2003 that the former Magee Barracks in Kildare Town would be among the State lands released to Kildare County Council for inclusion in the Sustaining Progress Affordable Housing Initiative. The Department had been involved in the process of transferring ownership to Kildare County Council and a final Contract of Sale was sent to the Solicitors for Kildare County Council in 2009. However, the local authority contacted the Department to state that it no longer wished to take possession of the property. As a result of this, the Department arranged for security fencing to be erected to prevent the occurrence of anti-social behaviour. Security fencing has been erected and additional fencing will be installed in the next few weeks to ensure the security of the site. It is not envisaged that any development will occur on this site for the foreseeable future. However, the Department is open to negotiate the sale of the property in its entirety with any bona fide purchaser subject to reasonable offers being made.